Circulo de Bellas Artes
Circulo de Bellas Artes
4
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
Not only the best views of Madrid, but one of the homes of European culture. Born in 1880 the Fine Arts Circle took its current location in the center of Madrid in 1926. Since then, this non profit private entity has grown as one of the most important cultural centres in Europe thanks to its prolific schedule full of exhibitions, conferences, congresses, theater plays, music concerts, cinema projections... as well as its offer in academic trainings such as the school of arts, the workshops and SUR Escuela, one of the most impresive and innovative academic masters all over European Union. However, it is also one of the most visited buildings in Madrid due to its stunning panoramic view over its rooftop, in which you can enjoy the old town of Madrid as well as the hidden treasure in the horizon: the mountains in the north of the region. No matter what you are looking for, we have a plan for you every day of the year. Take a look on our website and visit us!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Circulo de Bellas Artes and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Paseo del Prado
The area around the elegant Paseo del Prado boulevard is much-visited by both locals and tourists. The world-famous Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums form a triangle of art and culture that spans this grand and beautiful avenue. On weekdays, the Prado Museum opens its doors for free after-work hours, drawing a diverse and excited queue of art lovers that wraps around the block. Palacio de Cibeles and Círculo de Bellas Artes cultural centers are other artsy hangouts to check out, with rooftop bars that provide impressive views of the city. While the Paseo del Prado and its roundabouts form a busy throughway in Madrid, a broad green pedestrian park in the middle is a calm and gorgeous place for a relaxing stroll. Just east of the museums, the Retiro Park is always a confluence of activity as families and friends of all ages take to the pretty paths and lawns to stretch their legs or to have a picnic.
How to get there
- Banco de España • 2 min walk
- Sevilla • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
9,589 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,351 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
1,311 reviews
Excellent
539
Very good
435
Average
148
Poor
69
Terrible
120
Nanni_Banani
Bali, Indonesia20 contributions
June 2022 • Friends
We waited in the queue for 30 minutes, payed for tickets to the rooftop terrace only to find out that if you don’t have a table you can’t order a drink. (Disclaimer - nobody informed us before we payed and got up there). There was no order in getting the table, people were pushing each others to sit. We called earlier to book a table BUT they don’t accept reservations unless if it’s for dinner. The view is perfect however not worth the 5 euros per person that we payed. (It was supeeer crowded so no good pictures could be taken). We were not allowed to join another couple at the table to be able to order drinks. Horrible experience. They should limit the number of people that are allowed to go up or change this stupid rule of getting a drink only with the table.
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
murray_towers
Reading, UK322 contributions
July 2020
€5 each entry.
€12 per cocktail- very poor quality, mostly ice with maybe a tiny splash of alcohol.
Daughter’s birthday was not acknowledged.
Waiter gave us the bill virtually straight after grumpily presenting the drinks.
Bill had a charge for a further €10 drink which we had not ordered or received. Waiter told us he could only take the non existent drink off the bill if he spoke to his manager.
Manager unsympathetically altered the bill.
The tortilla chips with guacamole were straight from a packet with no frills.
Over priced style over substance.
€12 per cocktail- very poor quality, mostly ice with maybe a tiny splash of alcohol.
Daughter’s birthday was not acknowledged.
Waiter gave us the bill virtually straight after grumpily presenting the drinks.
Bill had a charge for a further €10 drink which we had not ordered or received. Waiter told us he could only take the non existent drink off the bill if he spoke to his manager.
Manager unsympathetically altered the bill.
The tortilla chips with guacamole were straight from a packet with no frills.
Over priced style over substance.
Written 14 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica ❤️
Madrid, Spain140 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
We come here often, always crossing fingers that they treat us at least not bad. Know the staff is awful, you will feel horrible but if you can just try to enjoy the view it’s fine. Hope this changed because the place is amazing.
Written 22 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,139 contributions
Dec 2022
The Circulo de Bellas Artes was founded in 1880 by a small group of artists. This building for the headquarters of the Circulo was completed in 1926 by the architect Antonio Palacios who is known for such emblematic buildings as the Palacio de Cibeles, the Bank of Spain, and the Palacio de Maudes.
The rooftop of the Circulo de Bellas Artes has spectacular views of Madrid, with some buildings of Gran Via like the Metropolis being very close. You can find a bar and restaurant here. For the lift, you have to buy a ticket.
We were a little bit confused because the ticket says that it is a combi ticket for the lift and the exhibition but we couldn't get into the exhibition with this ticket. However, the ticket was just 5 euros. For us, the views covered that price.
The rooftop of the Circulo de Bellas Artes has spectacular views of Madrid, with some buildings of Gran Via like the Metropolis being very close. You can find a bar and restaurant here. For the lift, you have to buy a ticket.
We were a little bit confused because the ticket says that it is a combi ticket for the lift and the exhibition but we couldn't get into the exhibition with this ticket. However, the ticket was just 5 euros. For us, the views covered that price.
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GetThePapers
8 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Fantastic view. Enjoyed a beer from up high with view across Madrid. Staff were a bit curt when we initially arrived not realising you needed to purchase tickets for €5 / person from the machine in the lobby. Whilst the views were amazing this is a bit of a tourist trap. The staff were a bit rude generally and I wouldn’t bother to visit again or recommend it to others. Sadly not worth the entry fee.
Written 19 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OffDutyTherapist2020
16 contributions
June 2023 • Solo
Horrible horrible service. 3 different waiters ignored me and walked right past to tables who sat way after me. The view is great. Pay the €8 euro just for that and do not buy the overpriced drinks.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reagan P
Fleming Island, FL10 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
Such an amazing view of the city of Madrid! Really nice areas for sitting, lounging, staying cool, and enjoying a drink. We didn’t get any food and the drinks weren’t the best ever but the “vibes” and the views made it VERY much worth the $5 entry fee. We went at 3pm on a Monday and it was no wait at all and plenty of open tables. Highly recommend for Madrid visitors! Wouldn’t miss it.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miguel L
Caracas, Venezuela231 contributions
Sept 2022
In spite of the long queue we decided to go in as it was moving reasonably fast. Great view of the city, managed to get a good table and had some drinks. Service must improve....Most of the tables close with the best view were "reserved" however we stayed there for a bit more than an hour and nobody got the tables...
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul
Liphook, UK12 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The staff are just rude. The place surely survives on the view which is completely surpassed by the Riu Hotel which BTW has wonderful staff. Overpriced poorly prepared tasteless food. If you have to try it just have a drink
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
schemie2016
Hong Kong, China287 contributions
June 2022 • Friends
We sat at the street level cafe area as there was a line for upstairs . The waitress wanted us to sit right at the back but there were plenty tables at the front so we sat there . She then came over and ‘ didn’t you listen to me - you can’t have 4 people at 2 tables for 2’ then stormed off not taking our order . We ended up having a well made drink there . We speak some Spanish, always say please snd Thank you and dont expect fluent English when abroad . We do expect basic courtesy and manners however.
A real shame as we love Madrid and really enjoyed our days there . We don’t need over the top friendliness - but be more polite please . Judging by general reviews this isn’t an isolated experience.
A real shame as we love Madrid and really enjoyed our days there . We don’t need over the top friendliness - but be more polite please . Judging by general reviews this isn’t an isolated experience.
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Se puede reservar para subir a la azotea?
Written 2 December 2019
No lo sé, nosotros fuimos directamente y compramos los boletos en la puerta. No esperamos mucho y subimos a la terraza.
Written 3 December 2019
If you mean footwear, it's probably ok. (In Ireland thongs are underwear...!) It's a very cool vibe and madrileños are quite chic so maybe dress up a bit for it. Sometimes it's worth it!
Written 9 July 2019
Se tiene que reservar para tomar algo también o solo para comer? En caso que se tuviese que reservar, podríamos ir a tomar algo a las 13:30 igualmente?
Written 18 April 2019
Para el restaurant si mejor reservar al parecer el servicio es continuo. Y si quieres hasta lo mas alto del edificio alla puedes tomar algo sin reservar solo pagas por subir y tienes una magnifica de Madrid.
Written 18 April 2019
Si i tavoli ci sono ma c’è anche moltissima gente, quindi è difficile trovarli liberi, devi avere fortuna! Noi siamo rimasti in piedi
Written 28 September 2018
Si vas a cenar también hay que pagar pot subir? Gracias
Written 28 May 2018
Pues solo te se decir Miguel, que a partir de una hora determinada no se paga, no se si eran las 21.00 en invierno y las 22.00 en verano, pero seguramente si tienes reserva puedas ir sin pagar arriba, abajo podrán comprobarlo, ya que se comunican con ellos.
Written 29 May 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 19
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing